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TORONTO — Kraken forward Matty Beniers was more pumped about the goal he scored late in Thursday night’s second period than about being named to his first NHL All-Star Game minutes later.
It turns out Beniers, 20, had already been tipped off about the selection a week ago by general manager Ron Francis and coach Dave Hakstol. Beniers said it was tough to keep things quiet the past week and that it was “a pretty special” honor he’s excited about.
But the goal he scored on a turnaround wrist shot that beat Matt Murray from the left faceoff circle, giving the Kraken a 4-1 lead at the time, was a more immediate thrill than when his selection was announced between periods. The All-Star Game takes place Feb. 4 in Sunrise, Florida.
“That just happened and we won,” Beniers said of the goal. “They’re a great team and playing them on the road is hard. So, we’re getting a little momentum back and playing well and playing good hockey. So, I’m excited for that. And the All-Star Game is pretty special, so I’m excited for that as well.”
Beniers leads all NHL rookies in goals with 13 and in points with 29 — the point total tied with linemate Jordan Eberle for second on the team and just one back of Kraken leader Andre Burakovsky. The native of Hingham, Massachusetts, drafted No. 2 overall by the Kraken in July 2021, had nine points in a 10-game trial stint last April after leading the University of Michigan to the NCAA semifinals.
Hakstol said after his team’s morning skate Thursday that he continues to be impressed by all that Beniers has done on and off the ice.
“I like what he does every day,” Hakstol said. “I like his approach, his demeanor, his competitiveness. “Matty’s been a guy that … he just shows up and works every day. He’s an intelligent person. He’s got great hockey sense. And that competitiveness never wanes. It’s not up and it’s not down. That competitiveness is there day-in and day-out.
“And as a young guy in this league, especially as a centerman, that’s a heavy load to carry.”
Wright reassigned to juniors
The Seattle Kraken reassigned first-round draft pick Shane Wright to the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League on Friday, a day after Wright helped Canada to a world juniors title.
Wright, who turned 19 on Thursday, appeared in eight games with Seattle this season. But he will play the rest of the year at the juniors level due to the NHL’s agreement with the Canadian Hockey League that required Wright to either remain with the Kraken or be sent to his juniors team because of his age. Spending the season with Seattle’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley was not an option.
Wright was the No. 4 overall pick in last summer’s draft, falling to the Kraken after he was expected to be one of the top two selections entering the draft.
Wright had one goal and one assist in his eight games with Seattle, but struggled to break into the lineup as the Kraken enjoyed an unexpected run of success early in the season. Seattle is third in the Pacific Division nearing the midpoint of the season and Wright’s playing time and chances to develop at the NHL level the rest of the season were likely going to be minimal.
Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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